CN101385191B - Antenna distribution - Google Patents

Abstract

An antenna arrangement comprises: a first antenna element; a second antenna element; a coupling element for electromagnetically coupling to the first antenna element and the second antenna element; and a switching mechanism, connected to the coupling element, for switching between a first electrical configuration and a second electrical configuration, wherein, when the switching mechanism is in the first electrical configuration, the coupling element has a first impedance and when the switching mechanism is in the second electrical configuration, the coupling element has a second impedance.

Description

An antenna arrangement

technical field

Embodiments of the invention relate to an antenna arrangement. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to antenna arrangements for wireless transceiver devices.

Background technique

In recent years, it has been desired that wireless transceiver devices, such as cellular telephones, be able to communicate over multiple frequency bands in the wireless portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. This happens because different countries tend to use different frequency bands for cellular networks. For example, US WCDMA is at 850MHz, while European WCDMA is at 2100MHz. Even within one country, different services may be provided at different radio frequency bands, eg PCS at 1900MHz and PCN at 1800MHz. Cellular telephones therefore require multi-band antenna arrangements that allow them to communicate over multiple frequency bands in the wireless portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Multiband antenna arrangements are progressively using more than one antenna element to transmit and receive electromagnetic waves. Currently, each "active" antenna element in such an antenna arrangement requires its own tuning circuit so that the antenna element can operate in the desired set of operational frequency bands. However, each tuning circuit requires space within the wireless transceiver device and has a financial cost associated therewith. Consequently, multi-band antenna arrangements are becoming increasingly large and expensive.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide an alternative antenna arrangement.

Contents of the invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna arrangement comprising: a first antenna element; a second antenna element; a coupling element for electromagnetically coupling to the first antenna element and the second antenna element; and a switching mechanism connected to to a coupling element for switching between a first electrical configuration and a second electrical configuration, wherein the coupling element has a first impedance when the switching mechanism is in the first electrical configuration, and when the switching mechanism is in the second electrical configuration In the middle, the coupling element has a second impedance.

When the switching mechanism is in the first electrical configuration, the first antenna element is operable in the first operable frequency band and the second antenna element is operable in the second operable frequency band.

The first antenna element is operable in the third operable frequency band and the second antenna element is operable in the fourth operable frequency band when the switching mechanism is in the second electrical configuration.

The switching mechanism may include: a first impedance matching circuit, a second impedance matching circuit and a switch. A switch may be used to connect the coupling element to either the first impedance matching circuit or the second impedance matching circuit.

The switching mechanism may be in the first electrical configuration when the switch connects the first impedance matching circuit to the coupling element.

The switching mechanism may be in the second electrical configuration when the switch connects the second impedance matching circuit to the coupling element.

The coupling element may comprise a first part and a second part. The first part may be arranged to be electromagnetically coupled with the first antenna element. The second portion may be arranged to be electromagnetically coupled with the second antenna element.

The antenna arrangement may comprise a plurality of antenna elements. A coupling element may be arranged to electromagnetically couple to each of the plurality of antennas.

The plurality of antenna elements are operable in a first set of operable frequency bands when the switching mechanism is in the first electrical configuration.

The plurality of antenna elements can operate in a second set of operable frequency bands when the switching mechanism is in the second electrical configuration.

Each antenna element may be connected to a feed via a feed point. Each antenna element may be connected to a ground plane via a ground point.

According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a tuning arrangement for tuning the operable frequency bands of at least two antennas, the arrangement comprising a coupling element for electromagnetically coupling to a first antenna element and a second antenna element; and a switching mechanism connected to the coupling element for switching between a first electrical configuration and a second electrical configuration, wherein the coupling element has a first impedance when the switching mechanism is in the first electrical configuration, and The coupling element has a second impedance when the switching mechanism is in the second electrical configuration.

According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a module comprising the antenna arrangement described above.

According to a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a module comprising the tuning arrangement described above.

According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a portable electronic device comprising the antenna arrangement described above.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a portable electronic device comprising the tuning arrangement described above.

Description of drawings

For a better understanding of the invention, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a wireless transceiver device comprising an antenna arrangement;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an antenna arrangement according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 shows a block diagrammatic top view of an antenna arrangement according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a block diagram perspective view of the antenna arrangement shown in Figure 3;

Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a switching mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A shows a diagram of the first and third operable frequency bands of the first antenna element 28 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6B shows a diagram of the second and fourth operable frequency bands of the second antenna element 30 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of a switching mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 8 shows a schematic diagram of a switching mechanism according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

The figures show an antenna arrangement 12 comprising: a first antenna element 28; a second antenna element 30; coupling elements 20, 32 for electromagnetically coupling to the first antenna element 28 and the second antenna element 30; and a switching mechanism 22, which is connected to the coupling element 20, 32 for switching between a first electrical configuration and a second electrical configuration, wherein when the switching mechanism 22 is in the first electrical configuration, the coupling element 20, 32 has a first impedance, and when the switching mechanism 22 is in the second electrical configuration, the coupling elements 20, 32 have a second impedance.

More specifically, Fig. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a wireless transceiver device 10, such as a mobile cellular phone, laptop computer, other wireless communication device or module for such devices. The wireless transceiver device 10 comprises an antenna arrangement 12 , a wireless transceiver circuit 14 connected to the antenna arrangement 12 , and a functional circuit 16 connected to the wireless transceiver circuit 14 . In embodiments where the wireless transceiver device 10 is a mobile cellular telephone, the functional circuitry 16 includes a processor, memory and output/output devices such as a microphone, speaker and display. Typically, the electronic components providing the wireless transceiver circuitry 14 and functional circuitry 16 are interconnected by a printed circuit board (PWB) 17 . The PWB 17 may serve as a ground plane for the antenna arrangement 12.

Fig. 2 shows a highly schematic illustration of an antenna arrangement 12 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The antenna arrangement 12 includes a plurality of antenna elements 18 , a coupling element 20 and a switching mechanism 22 . The coupling element 20 is electrically connected to the switching mechanism 22 via an electrical connector 24 and is arranged to electromagnetically couple with two or more of the plurality of antenna elements 18 .

Each of the plurality of antenna elements 18 is connected to a feed (not shown in this figure) via a feed point (not shown in this figure), and may be connected via a ground point (not shown in this figure). shown) is connected to ground plane 17 (see FIG. 1 ). Each of the plurality of antenna elements 18 is located at a predetermined height above the ground plane, and the plurality of antenna elements 18 may be planar inverted-F antennas (PIFAs), loop antennas, helical antennas, monopole antennas, and Any combination of Planar Inverted-L Antennas (PILA). A plurality of antenna elements 18 are electrically connected to the wireless transceiver circuitry 14 and are arranged to transmit electromagnetic waves to and/or receive electromagnetic waves from other wireless transceiver devices.

As mentioned above, the coupling element 20 is arranged to electromagnetically couple with two or more antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements 18 . The coupling element 20 may be a single element, or it may comprise a plurality of elements all connected to the switching mechanism 22 . Coupling element 20 comprises any electrically conductive material, and in one embodiment may comprise copper. The location and size of the coupling element 20 depends on the positioning of the plurality of antenna elements 18 and the desired electromagnetic coupling therebetween.

The switching mechanism 22 is operable in at least two electrical configurations, and in this embodiment the selection of the electrical configuration is controlled by the processor of the functional circuit 16 via a signal 26 . In each electrical configuration of the switching mechanism 22, the interface between the switching mechanism 22 and the coupling element 20 is substantially reflective, ie the modulo of the reflection coefficient at the interface is substantially equal to one. However, for each electrical configuration, the phase of the reflection coefficient at the interface can vary from +1 to -1, where +1 represents an open circuit (essentially infinite impedance) and -1 represents a short circuit (approximately zero impedance).

In one embodiment, when the switching mechanism is in the first electrical configuration, the phase of the reflection coefficient at the interface is substantially equal to +1 (coupling element 20 is effectively connected to an open circuit with substantially infinite impedance). Consequently, the electromagnetic coupling between the antenna element 18 and the coupling element 20 is weak or non-existent, and the operational frequency band of the antenna element is relatively unaffected, that is, when the switching mechanism 22 is in the first electrical configuration, the antenna Element 18 may operate in a first set of operable frequency bands.

When the switching mechanism 22 is in the second electrical configuration, the phase of the reflection coefficient at the interface is substantially equal to -1 (coupling element 20 is effectively connected to a short circuit with substantially zero impedance). Accordingly, the electromagnetic coupling between antenna element 18 and coupling element 20 is maximized, and the operational band of antenna element 18 is shifted downward in frequency, that is, when switching mechanism 22 is in the second electrical configuration, antenna element 18 Operating in a second set of operational frequency bands (the second set of operational frequency bands being different than the first set of operational frequency bands).

The first and second sets of operational frequency bands may include any of the following operational frequency bands: US-GSM 850 (824-894MHz), WCDMA 850, EGSM 900 (880-960MHz), PCN/DCS 1800 (1710-1880MHz) , GSM 1800, PCS 1900 (1850-1990MHz), US-WCDMA1900 (1850-1990), GSM 1900, WCDMA21000 frequency band (Tx: 1920-1980, Rx: 2110-2170) and WLAN\Bluetooth (2400MHz).

Coupling element 20 and switching mechanism 22 may collectively be referred to as tuning arrangement 27 and they provide the benefit of enabling each of plurality of antenna elements 18 to operate in two or more different operational frequency bands. Since a single switching mechanism 22 is used to tune multiple antenna elements 20, space can be saved in the wireless transceiver device 10, which can result in a reduced size of the wireless transceiver device 10. Furthermore, a single switching mechanism 22 can reduce the number of components in the wireless transceiver device 10 and thereby reduce cost and increase the reliability of the wireless transceiver device 10 .

Figures 3 to 5 show more detailed embodiments of antenna arrangements according to the invention. Fig. 3 shows a block diagrammatic top view of an antenna arrangement 12 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The antenna arrangement 12 comprises a first antenna element 28 , a second antenna element 30 and a coupling element 32 .

The first antenna element 28 is a PIFA which is connected to the ground plane 17 via a ground point 34 and to a feed (not shown) via a feed point 36 . The second antenna element 30 is a PIFA which is connected to the ground plane 17 via a ground point 38 and to a feed (not shown) via a feed point 40 . The coupling element 32 is connected to a switching mechanism (not shown) via a connector 42 .

To aid in the description of the structure of the first antenna element 28 , it may be considered to be divided into a first section 44 , a second section 46 , a third section 48 and a fourth section 50 . It should be appreciated that the first antenna element 28 is not physically divided into these sections, but that these sections are provided merely to aid in the description of the first antenna element 28 .

The first portion 44 extends upwardly from the ground point 34 and the feed point 36 and has a rectangular shape whereby its length is greater than its width. The second portion 46 extends perpendicularly from the top of the right-hand side of the first portion 44 and has a rectangular shape whereby its width is greater than its length. The third portion 48 extends perpendicularly from the right-hand side of the bottom of the second portion 46 and has a rectangular shape whereby its length is greater than its width. The fourth portion 50 extends perpendicularly from the right-hand bottom of the third portion 48 and has a rectangular shape whereby its width is greater than its length.

The second antenna element 30 has a rectangular shape, and a ground point 38 and a feed point 40 are located at the bottom left-hand corner of the antenna 30 . The second antenna element 30 is adjacent to and overlies the fourth portion 50 of the first antenna element 28 . The right-hand side of the second antenna element 30 is substantially aligned with the right-hand side of the fourth portion 50 of the first antenna element 28 .

The coupling element 32 includes a first portion 52 extending horizontally from the connector 42 and a second portion 54 extending vertically from the connector 42 . A first portion 52 of the coupling element 32 is located adjacent to and adjacent to a fourth portion 50 of the first antenna element 28 , and a second portion 54 of the coupling element 32 is located adjacent to and adjacent to the right-hand side of the second antenna element 30 . A first portion 52 of the coupling element 32 is capacitively coupled with the first antenna element 28 and a second portion 54 of the coupling element 32 is capacitively coupled with the second antenna element 30 .

To aid in visualization of the antenna arrangement 12 , FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the antenna arrangement 12 shown in FIG. 3 . Where features shown in Figure 4 are identical or similar to features shown in Figure 3, the same reference numerals are used.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a switching mechanism 22 according to an embodiment of the invention. The switching mechanism 22 includes an interface 56 that is connected to an ESD filter 58 that is in turn connected to a switch 60 . The switch 60 may be electrically connected to the first impedance matching circuit 62 or the second impedance matching circuit 64 . The switching mechanism 22 is connected to the coupling element 32 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 via the electrical connector 42 at the interface 56 .

ESD filter 58 is a well known electronic component, so it will be described in detail here. Briefly, ESD filter 58 is used to reduce electrostatic discharge noise from coupling element 20 and to filter harmonics generated by switch 60 .

In this embodiment, switch 60 is a single pole double throw (SPDT) switch, but in other embodiments, switch 60 may be a multi-way switch depending on the number of impedance matching circuits. SPDT switches and multiplexers are well known in the art, so they will not be described in detail here. SPDT switch 60 is switchable between a first electrical configuration (shown in FIG. 5 ) and a second electrical configuration, wherein, in the first electrical configuration, first impedance matching circuit 62 is connected to coupling element 32 and in In the second electrical configuration, the second impedance matching circuit 64 is connected to the coupling element 32 .

Compared with the coupling element 32 , the first impedance matching circuit 62 has a larger impedance. Accordingly, the reflection coefficient at interface 56 is substantially equal to +1 when switch 60 is in the first electrical configuration. Coupling element 32 is effectively connected in an open circuit and is substantially not capacitively coupled to either first antenna element 28 or second antenna element 30 . In this configuration, the first antenna element 28 operates in a first operable frequency band 66 (GSM 900, see FIG. 6A ), and the second antenna element 30 operates in a second operable frequency band 68 (WCDMA 2100, see FIG. 6B ). operate.

The second impedance matching circuit 64 has a relatively small impedance relative to the coupling element 32 . Accordingly, the reflection coefficient at interface 56 is substantially equal to -1 when switch 60 is in the second electrical configuration. The coupling element 32 is effectively connected to the short circuit and is substantially capacitively coupled to the first antenna element 28 and the second antenna element 30 . Specifically, a first portion 52 of the coupling element 32 is capacitively coupled with the first antenna element 28 and a second portion 54 of the coupling element 32 is capacitively coupled with the second antenna element 30 . The capacitive coupling causes the frequencies of the operable frequency bands of the first antenna element 28 and the second antenna element 30 to be shifted downward. Thus, the first antenna element 28 operates in a third operable frequency band 70 (GSM 850/WCDMA 850, see FIG. 6A ), and the second antenna element 30 operates in a fourth operable frequency band 72 (GSM 1800/GSM1900/WCDMA 1900, See Figure 6B) for operation.

In this embodiment, the first impedance matching circuit 62 and the second impedance matching circuit 64 each include a transmission line (not shown). A transmission line is a strip of metallic material (eg, copper) whose impedance depends on the transmission line material, transmission line length, and transmission line width. By varying these properties of the transmission line, desired impedances for the first impedance matching circuit 62 and for the second impedance matching circuit 64 can be obtained.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of a switching mechanism 22 according to another embodiment of the invention. The switching mechanism shown in Figure 7 is similar to that shown in Figure 5 and the same reference numbers have been used where they have similar features. In this embodiment, the ESD filter 58 is connected to a first impedance matching circuit 74 which in turn is connected to a single pole single throw (SPST) switch 76 . The SPST switch 76 may be connected to a second impedance matching circuit 78 .

The SPST switch 76 is switchable between a first electrical configuration (shown in FIG. 7 ) and a second electrical configuration, wherein in the first electrical configuration, the switch 76 is open and the coupling element 32 is connected to the first impedance matching circuit, And in the second electrical configuration, switch 76 is closed and coupling element 32 is connected to first impedance matching circuit 74 and second impedance matching circuit 78 (and thus to ground 79 ).

When switch 76 is in the first electrical configuration, first impedance matching circuit 74 has a relatively large impedance relative to coupling element 32 (because first impedance matching circuit 74 is not connected to ground). Thus, the reflection coefficient at interface 56 is substantially equal to +1 when switch 76 is in the first electrical configuration. Coupling element 32 is effectively connected in an open circuit and is substantially not capacitively coupled to either first antenna element 28 or second antenna element 30 . In this configuration, the first antenna element 28 operates in a first operable frequency band 66 (GSM 900, see FIG. 6A ), and the second antenna element 30 operates in a second operable frequency band 68 (WCDMA, see FIG. 6B ). .

When switch 76 is in the second electrical configuration, first impedance matching circuit 74 and second impedance matching circuit 78 have a smaller combined impedance relative to coupling element 32 (because second impedance matching circuit 78 is connected to ground 79 ) . Accordingly, the reflection coefficient at interface 56 is substantially equal to -1 when switch 76 is in the second electrical configuration. As mentioned above, the coupling element is effectively coupled to the short circuit and is substantially capacitively coupled with the first antenna element 28 and the second antenna element 30 . Thus, the first antenna element 28 operates in a third operable frequency band 70 (GSM850/WCDMA 850, see FIG. 6A ), and the second antenna element 30 operates in a fourth operable frequency band 72 (GSM 1800/GSM 1900/WCDMA 1900, See Figure 6B) for operation.

As described above, the first impedance matching circuit 74 and the second impedance matching circuit 78 may each include a transmission line.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic illustration of a switching mechanism 22 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. The switching mechanism 22 shown in Figure 8 is similar to the switching mechanism 22 shown in Figures 5 and 7, and the same reference numerals have been used where they have similar features. In this embodiment, the ESD filter 58 is connected to a single pole single throw (SPST) switch 80 and a first impedance matching circuit 82 . The SPST switch 80 may be connected to a second impedance matching circuit 84 .

The SPST switch 80 is switchable between a first electrical configuration (shown in FIG. 8 ) and a second electrical configuration, wherein in the first electrical configuration, the switch 80 is open and the coupling element is connected to a first impedance matching circuit 82, And in the second electrical configuration, switch 80 is closed and coupling element 32 is connected to second impedance matching circuit 84 (and thus to ground 79 ).

The first impedance matching circuit 82 has a larger impedance than the coupling element 32 . Thus, the reflection coefficient at interface 56 is substantially equal to +1 when switch 80 is in the first electrical configuration. Coupling element 32 is effectively connected in an open circuit and is substantially not capacitively coupled to either first antenna element 28 or second antenna element 30 . In this configuration, the first antenna element operates in a first operable frequency band 66 (GSM 900, see FIG. 6A ) and the second antenna element 30 operates in a second operable frequency band 68 (WCDMA, see FIG. 6B ).

The second impedance matching circuit 84 has a smaller impedance relative to the coupling element 32 (because the second impedance matching circuit 84 is connected to the ground 79 ). Accordingly, the reflection coefficient at interface 56 is substantially equal to -1 when switch 80 is in the second electrical configuration. As described above, the coupling element 32 is effectively coupled to the short circuit and is substantially capacitively coupled to the first antenna element 28 and the second antenna element 30 . Thus, the first antenna element 28 operates in the third operable frequency band 70 (GSM 850/WCDMA 850, see FIG. 6A ), and the second antenna element 30 operates in the fourth operable frequency band 72 (GSM 1800/GSM 1900/WCDMA 1900 , see Figure 6B) operation.

As described above, the first impedance matching circuit 82 and the second impedance matching circuit 84 may each include a transmission line.

The first impedance matching circuits 74 and 82, respectively shown in FIGS. The phase shift caused by 80, so that the coupling element 32 is effectively connected with an open circuit.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications may be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, at least some of the one or more antenna elements 18 , 28 , 30 may extend beyond the periphery of the ground plane 17 .

While an effort has been made in the foregoing description to focus on those features of the invention which are considered to be of particular importance, it should be understood that applicants claim protection for any patented features and features previously referred to and/or shown in the accompanying drawings. Combinations of features, whether or not they are specifically emphasized.

Claims (18)

1. A tuning device comprising: a coupling element comprising a first portion configured to electromagnetically couple with the first antenna element and a second portion configured to electromagnetically couple with the second antenna element; and a switching mechanism connected to the coupling element via a connector for switching between a first electrical configuration and a second electrical configuration, wherein when the switching mechanism is in the first electrical configuration, the coupling an element has a first impedance, and when the switching mechanism is in the second electrical configuration, the coupling element has a second impedance; and a first portion of the coupling element extends from the connector in a first direction , and the second portion of the coupling element extends from the connector in a second different direction, wherein the angle between the first direction and the second different direction is 90 degrees or 180 degrees. 2. The tuning device of claim 1 , wherein when the switching mechanism is in the first electrical configuration, the first antenna element operates in a first operable frequency band and the second antenna element Operates in a second operable frequency band. 3. The tuning device of claim 1 , wherein when the switching mechanism is in the second electrical configuration, the first antenna element operates in a third operable frequency band and the second antenna element Operates in a fourth operable frequency band. 4. The tuning device according to claim 1, wherein the switching mechanism comprises: a first impedance matching circuit, a second impedance matching circuit, and a circuit for connecting the coupling element to the first impedance matching circuit or the The switch of the second impedance matching circuit is described. 5. The tuning device of claim 4, wherein the switching mechanism is in the first electrical configuration when the switch connects the first impedance matching circuit to the coupling element. 6. The tuning device of claim 4, wherein the switching mechanism is in the second electrical configuration when the switch connects the second impedance matching circuit to the coupling element. 7. The tuning device of claim 1 , comprising a plurality of antenna elements including the first antenna element and the second antenna element, wherein the coupling element is arranged to communicate with the plurality of antenna elements. Each of the antenna elements is electromagnetically coupled. 8. The tuning device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of antenna elements operate in a first set of operable frequency bands when the switching mechanism is in the first electrical configuration. 9. The tuning device of claim 7, wherein the plurality of antenna elements operate in a second set of operable frequency bands when the switching mechanism is in the second electrical configuration. 10. The tuning device of claim 1, wherein each antenna element is connected to a feed via a feed point and to a ground plane via a ground point. 11. An antenna device comprising: a first antenna element; a second antenna element; a coupling element comprising a first portion configured to electromagnetically couple with the first antenna element and a second portion configured to electromagnetically couple with the second antenna element; and a switching mechanism connected to the coupling element via a connector for switching between a first electrical configuration and a second electrical configuration, wherein when the switching mechanism is in the first electrical configuration, the coupling an element has a first impedance, and when the switching mechanism is in the second electrical configuration, the coupling element has a second impedance; and a first portion of the coupling element extends from the connector in a first direction , and the second portion of the coupling element extends from the connector in a second different direction, wherein the angle between the first direction and the second different direction is 90 degrees or 180 degrees. 12. A module comprising the antenna arrangement of claim 11. 13. A module comprising a tuning device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10. 14. A portable electronic device comprising the antenna device as claimed in claim 11. 15. A portable electronic device comprising the tuning device according to any one of claims 1 to 10. 16. A method for varying the impedance of a coupling element comprising: A switching mechanism is controlled to switch between a first electrical configuration and a second electrical configuration, wherein the switching mechanism is connected to a coupling element via a connector, the coupling element includes a first part and a second part, the first part is configured to communicate with the The first antenna element is electromagnetically coupled and the second portion is configured to electromagnetically couple with the second antenna element, wherein the coupling element has a first impedance when the switching mechanism is in the first electrical configuration, and when the switching mechanism is in the second electrical configuration, the coupling element has a second impedance; and a first portion of the coupling element extends from the connector in a first direction, and the coupling element The second portion of the second portion extends from the connector in a second different direction, wherein the angle between the first direction and the second different direction is 90 degrees or 180 degrees. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein when the switching mechanism is in the first electrical configuration, the first antenna element operates in a first operable frequency band and the second antenna element operates in Operate in a second operable frequency band. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein when the switching mechanism is in the second electrical configuration, the first antenna element operates in a third operable frequency band and the second antenna element operates in Operating in a fourth operable frequency band.

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